The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has formally charged four public officials in connection with an attempt to unlawfully acquire ten containers of imported rice at the Tema Port.
The individuals charged include Issah Seidu of the National Insurance Commission, James Keck Osei, a former Director at the former Vice President’s Secretariat, and two Customs officers, John Abban and Peter Archibold Hyde.
They are accused of conspiring to seize the containers through the use of forged documents, including a falsified letter purporting to originate from the Office of the Vice President.
According to court filings, the rice in question was legally imported from Thailand in 2022, with all applicable duties fully paid.
Despite this, the accused allegedly attempted to gain possession of the containers through the Ghana Revenue Authority’s auction process, using fraudulent documentation to present a false narrative of official clearance.
Investigations conducted by the Ghana Revenue Authority, supported by a High Court ruling, uncovered the scheme.
The OSP has indicated that the accused manipulated official processes with the intention of diverting the containers for personal gain.
All four individuals are expected to appear before the court on Friday, 27 June 2025, where they will face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime, corruption, and abuse of public office.
